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People living with the effects of Thalidomide have many health-related problems that create challenges in daily life. It is impossible for people with short arms or legs to get into a regular bathtub or cook in a standard kitchen. This is where the Grünenthal Foundation for the Support of Thalidomide-affected People finds ways to simplify daily processes – and improve quality of life.
The Grünenthal Foundation supports thalidomide-affected people sustainably and quickly in improving their individual living situation.
In addition to national funding, we support Thalidomide-affected people with individual solutions. We seek to understand your individual needs and provide you with assistance where you need it most. The core of our work consists of providing aids that make life in your own home easier, promote contact with other people, or enable you to carry out your activities. We are always open to your questions and suggestions. Feel free to contact us.
We all want a home where we feel safe and comfortable. However, living spaces are not usually designed for the needs of people with disabilities. We support you in adapting your living space to your individual needs.
Having your own vehicle ensures independent mobility and supports participation in social life. For this reason, our foundation provides funding for expanded equipment options and vehicle conversions.
Travel is important for everyone, including Thalidomide-affected people. It plays a key role in enabling people to visit family and friends, experience new things, and leave their everyday routines behind. For people affected by Thalidomide, even taking a walk in their own neighbourhood can be challenging. For this reason, we provide support for travel and other activities outside the home.
In recent years, we have expanded our commitment to include projects that meet other important needs for people affected by Thalidomide.
People with similar life experiences are best acquainted with the challenges, concerns and needs of affected people. For this reason, we support peer-to-peer counselling from the North Rhine-Westphalian state association. This association is staffed in part by people affected by Thalidomide. These peer counsellors listen to the concerns and fears of affected people, provide support for visits to government agencies or doctors, and help to complete applications. In addition, professionally trained counsellors are available to assist you.
It is important to us to understand the current needs and concerns of affected people, in order to improve the assistance that we provide for them. This is why we regularly meet with representatives for affected people from various state and local associations. We present our support in person at representative meetings and at the Rehacare trade fair. We engage in discussions about the life situations of affected people, answer questions and listen to suggestions. In addition, we also spend time thinking about what support measures may be important in the future. Would you like to get in contact with us? If possible, we would be happy to visit your home. You can also visit us if you live nearby.
Do you have questions or suggestions? Feel free to write us an e-mail or give us a call.
